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Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Zero to Villain - Im Siwan's Shocking Transformation Will Leave You Speechless
The Sweet Boy Next Door Who Became Korea's Most Hated Character Remember that innocent-looking guy from your college who seemed too pure for this world? That's exactly what Im Siwan looked like in " Boyhood " (2023). Playing the role of Byeong-tae, a high school student with nothing but big dreams and an even bigger mouth, Siwan had us all convinced he was just another soft boy actor destined for romantic comedies and feel-good dramas. The character of Byeong-tae was everything we love about underdog stories - naive, optimistic, and stubbornly righteous despite having zero power to change anything. His famous line "Ah, where in the world is there a person who isn't precious? To me, everyone in the world is precious!" became an instant meme among Korean drama fans. The way Siwan delivered these lines with such genuine conviction made viewers believe this was just his natural personality shining through. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But then Squid Game Season 3 happened, and honestly, we're still recovering from the whiplash. The 37-year-old actor, who started his journey as a member of the idol group ZE:A (Children of Empire) in 2010, has pulled off one of the most shocking character transformations in recent K-drama history. From playing the lovable underdog in " Misaeng " (2014) to becoming the crypto-obsessed villain Myeong-gi in Netflix's global phenomenon, Siwan has proven that still waters run deep - and sometimes they hide some pretty dark currents. What makes this transformation even more remarkable is the timing. Both "Boyhood" and "Squid Game 3" were filmed around the same period, with some overlapping shooting schedules. Imagine switching between playing an idealistic teenager fighting against injustice to portraying a morally bankrupt adult who's lost all sense of right and wrong - all within the same few months. That's the kind of mental gymnastics that would break most actors, but Siwan somehow managed to keep both characters distinct and authentic. When Your Favorite Oppa Becomes the Villain You Love to Hate The contrast is absolutely mind-boggling, and it's not just about the characters - it's about the entire energy they bring to the screen. In "Boyhood," Byeong-tae was that friend who'd fight the system for you, even if he had zero chance of winning. He was the guy who'd stand up to bullies twice his size, get beaten up, and still come back the next day with the same defiant smile. There was something beautifully foolish about his optimism, the kind that makes you want to protect him from the harsh realities of the world. Fast forward to "Squid Game 3," and Myeong-gi is the guy who'd probably sell his own grandmother for a Bitcoin. The transformation isn't just physical - though Siwan's styling team deserves major props for making him look appropriately disheveled and desperate - it's in every micro-expression, every gesture, every moment of calculated selfishness. "I'll throw the baby away, you think I can't do it? I can do it!" - these bone-chilling words from Myeong-gi had viewers clutching their pearls and questioning everything they thought they knew about Im Siwan. The way he delivered this line, with tears streaming down his face but his voice filled with desperate determination, was genuinely disturbing. It's the kind of performance that makes you forget you're watching an actor and instead feel like you're witnessing someone's complete moral breakdown in real time. The actor himself admitted that even he struggled to understand his character until the very end of filming. Unlike method actors who dive deep into their characters' psychology from day one, Siwan found himself constantly questioning Myeong-gi's motivations. "I was confused about creating and understanding the character until almost the end of filming," he revealed in recent interviews. Playing a failed cryptocurrency YouTuber who lost everything and joined the deadly games out of desperation, Siwan had to dig deep into the psychology of fear and cowardice. This wasn't just about playing a villain - it was about understanding how ordinary people can make extraordinary bad choices when pushed to their limits. Myeong-gi represents that terrifying possibility that exists in all of us: what would we do if we lost everything and saw no way out? The Method Behind the Madness What makes Siwan's transformation even more impressive is how he approached the role from a completely different angle than his previous characters. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk specifically asked for a performance that was neither completely evil nor entirely good - basically, the kind of morally gray character that makes you uncomfortable because they're too real. This direction initially confused Siwan, who was used to playing more straightforward characters. "If that's the case, I concluded that maybe Myeong-gi makes bad choices because he's a coward overwhelmed by fear," he explained. "The process of finding some line at a middle point rather than at extreme points wasn't easy, but I think that's why Myeong-gi became a three-dimensional and mysteriously unpredictable character." The brilliance of this approach is that it makes Myeong-gi's actions feel inevitable rather than shocking. Every terrible choice he makes feels like the logical next step for someone who's already lost everything and is operating purely on survival instinct. It's not that he's inherently evil - he's just so terrified of losing what little he has left that he'll sacrifice anyone and anything to protect himself. This psychological complexity is what separates Siwan's villain from the typical K-drama antagonist. Instead of being driven by revenge, greed, or pure malice, Myeong-gi is motivated by something much more relatable and therefore more terrifying: fear. The fear of being poor, of being irrelevant, of being forgotten. It's the kind of fear that keeps millions of young people awake at night, wondering if they'll ever be able to afford their own homes or if they'll spend their entire lives struggling to make ends meet. Siwan's commitment to authenticity meant he had to find that fear within himself, which wasn't easy for someone who's achieved considerable success in both music and acting. "I can only act when my heart truly moves," he admitted. "When I don't understand something, I get frustratingly stuck and have to think it through." This level of emotional honesty is what makes his performance so convincing - and so disturbing. The Cultural Impact and Fan Reactions The response to Siwan's transformation has been nothing short of explosive. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions ranging from shock and betrayal to grudging admiration for his acting skills. The actor himself has noticed the change in his online presence: "Thanks to Squid Game, my social media followers increased a lot, but many seem to have come just to curse at me." This reaction speaks to something deeper about how audiences connect with actors, especially those who start their careers as idols. There's an expectation that these performers will maintain their "pure" image, that they'll continue to be the safe, comforting presence that fans fell in love with. When someone like Siwan breaks that mold so dramatically, it forces fans to confront their own assumptions about both the actor and the characters they play. The cultural significance of this transformation extends beyond just entertainment. In a society where young people are increasingly struggling with economic uncertainty and social pressure, Myeong-gi's character arc serves as a cautionary tale about what can happen when desperation overrides morality. The fact that this message is delivered by someone as seemingly innocent as Im Siwan makes it even more powerful.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Player 333 dark web video' goes viral amid Squid Game Season 3: Im Siwan aka Lee Myung Gi's idol past sparks hillarious reactions
Im Si Wan may be making headlines for his chilling performance in Squid Game Season 3 as player 333, aka Lee Myung Gi, but it's a newly resurfaced clip from his early idol days that's stealing attention online. On June 30, a post titled 'Im Si-wan's Past Finally Revealed to Overseas Fans' began circulating on Korean online communities, sharing a throwback video of the actor dancing to girl group hits during his time in ZE: A and international fans are floored. Im Si Wan as Lee Myung Gi in Squid Game Season 3 Credit: Squid Game In Squid Game Season 3 , which dropped on Netflix on June 27, Im Si Wan returns as Player 333, also known as Lee Myung Gi. His character was introduced in Squid Game Season 2 as a failed cryptocurrency investor who enters the deadly competition in search of redemption and a second chance. Si Wan's portrayal earned praise for its layered intensity, showcasing his ability to blend desperation, calculation, and raw vulnerability, a far cry from his cheerful idol image. His transformation in the survival thriller reaffirmed his versatility as an actor, especially for fans seeing him for the first time outside of Korea. The viral 'Plater 333 Dark Web Video' that shocked the internet The now-viral video comes from ZE:A's first official fan meeting, 'Happy ZE:A's Day', where the group performed covers of Orange Caramel's Magic Girl and miss A's Bad Girl Good Girl. Dressed in bright, over-the-top outfits, the members fully committed to the performances, with Im Si Wan front and centre. The post that shared the clip captioned it with, 'The sacred has finally been unearthed. Overseas fans are in chaos,' highlighting the surprised and amused reactions from international viewers who hadn't seen this side of the Squid Game actor before. The video had 'Player 333 Dark Web Video' written on it. Credit: X Netizens can't stop laughing Korean netizens were just as entertained by the resurfaced footage. Comments ranged from shocked to sentimental, with many jokingly begging for the video to be deleted. Reactions included, 'Even Koreans are seeing this video for the first time.' 'He really lived his life to the fullest', 'ZE:A fans are so loyal', and 'Please bury this; we're all doomed.' One user summed it up with, 'I expected a lot, but not this. So sacredly shocking.' From idol to actor: Im Si-wan's journey Im Si Wan debuted with ZE:A in 2010. While the group never reached top-tier popularity, he carved a niche with his visuals and charisma. After transitioning to acting, he quickly earned acclaim through dramas like Misaeng: Incomplete Life, The King in Love, Strangers from Hell, Run On and Summer Strike, and the films The Attorney and Unlocked. His ability to take on dark, nuanced roles has only deepened over time, culminating in his Squid Game Season 3 appearance, which introduced him to a whole new global audience, many of whom are now doing a double-take after discovering his playful idol past. Whether fans first met him as ZE: A's adorable dancer or as Player 333 in the Korean survival thriller, Im Si Wan will always leave fans impressed. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Squid Game actor Yim Si-wan: I didn't read the script, I just knew I had to be in it
Korean singer and actor Yim Si-wan has built a strong filmography that showcases his range as a performer. Si-wan began his career as a member of the K-pop group ZE:A but it was his breakout role in The Attorney (2013) that earned him critical acclaim. Establishing himself as an actor with a knack for portraying complex and intense characters, he has since been part of several popular shows and films, including Misaeng (2014), Run On (2021), Emergency Declaration (2022), and Summer Strike (2023). Now, he returns in the final season of the mega-hit Squid Game. Si-wan plays Myung Gi, a.k.a. Player 333—a former cryptocurrency influencer whose misguided investment scheme results in heavy financial losses for both himself and his followers. On the run, Myung Gi enters the deadly game, only to come face to face with those he had wronged, including his now-pregnant former girlfriend, whom he had previously ghosted. The actor reveals that he tends to immerse himself deeply in the roles he plays—so much so that he carries his on-screen characters with him long after the shoot has ended. 'I'm not the type who can easily switch on and off—that is, go in and out of character. I carry my screen characters with me to a certain extent. Rather than detaching from them immediately, I find that these characters become part of me, etched into the fabric of my life.' In an exclusive interview with HT City, the actor shares that he accepted the part of Myung Gi without even reading the script, simply because he was a fan of Squid Game. 'The first time I saw the character of Myung Gi, he came across as someone who is constantly straddling the line between good and evil. But as the show progressed, he felt very human—someone who was not capable of making the right choices due to his greed. I think it's fair to say that he may not be purely evil, but rather, a foolish person.' Si-wan says that his takeaway from playing Myung Gi is that one should neither be too greedy nor make foolish investments out of greed. One of the most sought-after actors of his generation, the 36-year-old Si-wan is also listed among the Korean actors who represent the present and future of cinema. Having lent his voice to soundtracks for The King in Love, Tracer, and Boyhood, would Si-wan contemplate the possibility of an Indian collaboration? 'Going forward as an actor, I wish to continue to wrestle with my characters, make every effort to portray them diligently, and continue developing myself. One day, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to perform in India,' he signs off with a smile.
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Disney+ K-drama Buried Hearts midseason recap: slow-moving drama set in corporate world
This article contains mild spoilers. Lead cast: Park Hyung-sik, Huh Joon-ho, Lee Hae-young, Hong Hwa-yeon Latest Nielsen rating: 13.1 per cent As Seo Dong-ju, Park Hyung-sik of the K-pop boy band ZE:A navigates a treacherous corporate world filled with love, betrayal and melodrama in Buried Hearts, a series with entertaining peaks cresting between the wide valleys of its meandering story.
